Rap production is really unlike anything typically found in the area of rock- and roots-oriented music . And really , the role of producer in rap is fundamentally different than the role producers play in rock and roots . Whereas the rock or country producer acts as a coach and / or sonic guide for the artist , rap and R & B producers are truly artists themselves – in on the ground floor of the creative process .
While I ’ ve consciously developed a much greater appreciation of current rap and R & B over the last five or so years , really , I got thinking about this because of a quote in the last issue of Canadian Musician from an unlikely source . The great Daniel
Lanois , someone who ’ s produced countless guitar-wielding legends over the last 30 years ( Bob Dylan , Neil Young , U2 , etc .), told writer Manus Hopkins that he often listens to hiphop radio in the car . “ I appreciate that some of that is as crazy as it is ,” he said , adding : “ Those folks are doing very far out stuff and a few times I ’ m jealous .”
With this in mind , I wanted to reach out to a few highly-respected Canadian rap producers to learn more about what they do .
50 CANADIAN MUSICIAN